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Making May Baskets for May Day Deliveries

April 30, 2009 By Laura 6 Comments

Last year we spontaneously decided to throw some May Baskets together for May Day, secretly deliver them, and hope they make someone feel thought of, and smile.  The kids had fun putting them together, and even MORE fun delivering them. We only did 2 baskets last year, but this year we thought of 4 recipients that would be more than delighted with such an unexpected surprise, on a seemingly ordinary Friday. Now that the kids learned last year what fun it is, <click link see last year) they’ve been VERY excited this year/week to do it again.

So all week we’ve been picking up the little things we needed, and today we got it all together and made our May Baskets, to deliver for May Day.

ideas making May baskets

I stamped 4 tags, and each of the kids colored them, and wrote Happy May Day! on them. That’s {J} trying to write slowly and neatly. (He prefers to ‘whip it out’.)

ideas Making May baskets

On the inside, I did have them sign them the R Children….because in this day and age, I fear no one would dare eat goods left on their doorstep from ‘Lord knows who’.  Especially older folks, who have especially truly witnessed the deterioration of society.  But this is a CHEERY HAPPY post, so I won’t even bring that up. lol

ideas making May baskets

We baked some blueberry bread loaves, and wrapped those up once they were cooled enough.  The house smelled so darned good, it was hard not to eat them ourselves!  But, then we’d have to start all over baking again, and there was no time for that! (And who knows if we’d give in again! lol)  We also picked up some tea cookies.

ideas making May baskets

{A} got the tags tied on with a pretty little bowed ribbon.

ideas Making May baskets

They all made some baggies of sugar free candies, and {O} matched nicely. (This pleases her.) We know at least one of our recipients is a diabetic, and as far as the rest….well, sugar-free candy never hurt anybody.   : )  Right?  They are pretty good too.  Yes, I tried them. One of each color, just to be sure. Got it covered.

ideas Making May baskets

{S} got a bunch of decaf tea bags out of our kitchen jar, to throw a handful of those in too.

ideas making May baskets

This year it occurred to me that, perhaps it would be a good idea to include a little history on May Day Baskets.  I assume most people know about this age-old tradition, but, you know….maybe not. We don’t want to look crazy or anything.  I mean, that’s our little secret. lol

ideas making May baskets

The kids packed up the baskets with all of the goods, and everything fit just right. Huh. We’ve got fresh flowers to stick in in the morning, and we’ll be good to go!  With 4 houses to go to, we’ve got some driving around town to do, and each of the kids will take a house. Let us all pray (that means you, too) that no one gets injured trying to boogie back to the van after ringing the doorbell,  before they get caught!  That’s my fear. Seriously.  (That’s normal for a Mama, right?)   Weather said this morning that there was a 70% chance of rain tomorrow.  But later this evening it’s down to a 50% chance.  Maybe SOMEONE is pulling for us. Huh huh? But if not, {O} has got her hot pink raincoat ready, and since the boys do not have one, they are deciding if they want to wear one bad enough to wear {O’s} pink one, when it is their turn to deliver a basket. Because wearing a raincoat is a VERY exciting thing, you know. Just ask our 6 year olds!  I can only imagine how they would contain themselves if they knew about the galoshes out there in the world, in all colors!  (Please….we can’t keep up with the shoes and boots as it is! Footwear is sucking up our $ and our floor space.)

Soooo….Wish us luck!  Wish us SUN!  Wish us a band-aid free day!!

We’ll be reporting back to the blog about it all.

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Filed Under: Crafts & Creations, Seasonal Crafts and Creations, SPRING Crafts and Creations, The Big Picture Tagged With: Catholic, Catholic-blogs, Catholic-families, Catholic-kids, gift baskets, how-to-make-May-Day-baskets, making-May-baskets, teaching-your-kids-thoughtfulness

Earth Day – Taking care of His Creation

April 22, 2009 By Laura 3 Comments

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

Last year on Earth Day, our family started the tradition of going out and cleaning up our neighborhood roadsides and beach, to help care for God’s Creation in our own teeny tiny corner of the world.  We actually do this other times of the year as well, but it’s a plan on Earth Day, if the weather permits. Thankfully, today it did.  So instead of our formal school work, we headed out and got to work!

I HONESTLY helped clean up trash too, but I was also very busy taking photos, as usual.  Last year, Michael made all of our kids trash poker sticks, so they won’t ever be using their hands. I would take issue with using their hands, big time.   They work pretty hard, and have a lot of discussion about what a horrible and inconsiderate habit littering is. Teachable moments, are all over Earth Days.

Unclogging the street drains….

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

For ME?… <blush>…..

Earth Day homeschooling ideas
–

Patheticism, at it’s best!…..

(Now WHY is that word underlined in red??  That’s a word, isn’t it??)

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

I’m telling you, People, this one is a real worker. Always.

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

You should see the cars slow down, and the people look at us sometimes, as we parade through the neighborhood….completely confused about what in the world we are doing, or WHY? (The kids love to yell ‘Happy Earth Day!’ to them. lol)  But once in awhile a ‘quick’ one comes along, and not only knows what we are doing, but WHY we are doing it on THIS day.  We hope all people who happen to see us,  catch on, and become inspired.  If not to clean up, at least not to litter, if they do.

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

Part of our Earth Day, is not only helping take care of this GIFT of Creation God has given us, but appreciating the beauty of it everywhere!   These are the little stops I call ‘pick-me-ups’, because I seriously need one as I watch our barrel fill up with the disgusting abundance of trash we found on the ground.  So I hope it picks you up too, because there is more photos of trash coming…lol…

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

Earth Day homeschooling ideas
She likes butter.

Earth Day homeschooling ideas

How do you think we did?!

Earth Day homeschooling ideas
Heading home after a good couple hours of work.  Showers are sounding good right about now. YUCK!

Public Service Announcement:

THANK YOU FOR NOT LITTERING GOD’S GLORIOUS CREATION!!

So…..did you happen to do anything for Earth Day today?  Big or small, chats or actions, we’d love for you to share with us what Earth Day was like for you.

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Filed Under: Life In General, The Big Picture Tagged With: Catholic-blogs, Catholic-family, Catholic-kids, Earth Day, Earth-Day-community-clean-up, Earth-Day-homeschooling-ideas, Earth-Day-neighborhood-clean-up, homeschooling

Photos of Our Easter Day Details – 2009 – Simple Easter Ideas

April 17, 2009 By Laura 6 Comments

Just another short post, with lots of photos, from our blessed Easter Sunday. We hope they are simple Easter ideas, to share with you.

The kids woke up to these surprises on Easter morning.  They were thrilled!

non-candy-easter-gift-ideas-for-kids_2

non-candy-easter-gift-ideas-for-kids

The kids, looking all dapper, just before heading out to a beautiful Easter morning Mass.  {A} altar served, as usual.  The kids were surprised with some gifts from friends at church, too. People can be so kind and thoughtful.

easter-kids-2009

When we got home, we had our simple Easter dinner.

This is my plate, below.  As you can see, I despise carrots, and I love asparagus. : )

I also forgot to put some potato salad on my plate before I took this photo, which  I worked so hard on. lol

simple-easter-dinner

The Easter cookies {A} baked, and us parents helped decorate. It was tooooo FUN!

easter-cookies

Chocolate Coconut Jelly Bean Cake, which was also more fun, to take photos of.

jellybean-easter-cake

jelly-bean-easter-cake-1

jelly-bean-easter-cake-2

I took  some individual shots of the kids too.

easter-kids-2009_1

Easter is one of my very  favorite holidays to take photos on. The spring-ish atmosphere, all of the colors around, and the sheer joy in the air, as we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, after a long and soul-searching Lenten season.  But the truth is, I just always have my camera in hand, taking photos, because I love to, and I can. 🙂  I like to think this is a great place to share them, with you all,  as they all are the details of our days, our life, and our joys.  Just so you know…This blog will always have more photos, than wise words spoken. Because I definitely always have more way photos. lol

colored-easter-eggshells

Our Giveaway winner, Regan, had received her home-made gifts.  So would anyone like to see photos of what she received?  I took lots of those along the way for that, too.  Of course. It’s coming up!

Our family hopes your Easter was all kinds of Blessed and joyful, too!

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Filed Under: Baking, Celebrations, Desserts, Faith, Faith/ Catholic, Holidays, Kids, Photography & Lettering, Recipes, The Big Picture, Traditions Tagged With: Catholic, Catholic-blogs, Catholic-families, Easter-ideas, jellybean-Easter-cake, non-candy-Easter-gift-ideas-for-kids, simple-Easter-ideas

Creative Coloring Easter Eggs – Photos

April 13, 2009 By Laura 6 Comments

Just sharing with you today some photos from our creative coloring of Easter eggs tradition. Our family here LOVES to color and decorate eggs. Do you? We could do it every day.  It’s also one of my favorite things to photograph. We do hope you all had a lovely and blessed Easter!  Our entire Triduum was so focused and beautiful.  We especially enjoyed the services and Masses at our church throughout the Holy days, and our quiet Easter celebration together was  pleasant and relaxing.

We will have more Easter photos to share tomorrow or the next day, but have a heavier than usual work week, so we just may not be so chatty until later on in the week, if we are disciplined.  ; )  But we’ve got a long list of blog posts and plans on hand-so stick around! And Enjoy!

white-eggs-ready-to-dye

cups-of-dyeing-easter-eggs

white-eggs-ready-to-dye
cups-coloring-easter-eggs

red-colored-easter-egg

coloring-orange-easter-egg

cups-coloring-easter-eggs cups-of-dyeing-easter-eggs

few-colored-easter-eggs-in-carton

coloring-eggs

coloring-purple-easter-egg

love-colored-easter-egg

blue-colored-easter-egg

chick-easter-egg

bright-colored-easter-eggs-in-carton

god-easter-egg

bowl-beautiful-creative-colored-easter-eggs_2

bowl-beautiful-creative-colored-easter-eggs

Hope you enjoyed this fun photo collection of our family memories!
Thanks so much for visiting.

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Filed Under: Crafts & Creations, Faith/ Catholic, Holiday Crafts, Holidays, Kids Arts and Crafts, Kids Arts and Crafts, Photography & Lettering, The Big Picture, Traditions Tagged With: beautiful-colored-Easter-egg-photos, Catholic, Catholic-blogs, Catholic-family, Catholic-kids, creative-Easter-egg-coloring, decorating-easter-eggs, dyeing-Easter-eggs, Easter, Easter-egg-coloring-photos

Stained-Glass (looking) Tissue Paper Easter Cross – Kids Craft

April 7, 2009 By Laura 20 Comments

Today we have an Easter themed craft tutorial for you!  It is beautiful, and so fun to make!  It’s a stained-glass (looking) tissue paper Easter cross, for your home or school windows. Or glass door!

stained-glass-tissue-easter-cross-craft_mini

The kids have been working really hard with their school work, and will actually be done with their formal work in just a couple of weeks.  So in preparing our hearts and minds for this Holy week, we decided to do some more lengthy study of the Stations of the Cross, and then get creative today and make a big Stained Glass (looking) Easter cross decoration for our Easter celebration come this Sunday.  It will be fitting in faith and spring spirit, to leave it up as beautiful cheery decor, for several weeks following Easter.

There were really only 5 things we needed:  a very large sheet of window cling, lots of colored tissue paper, a sponge brush, some Modge Podge and a pair of scissors.

colored-tissue-paper-layers modge-podge-gloss-lustre

I didn’t take photos of this part, but, we first drew out a large cross on the back of the window cling material backing-paper, using a board for the straight edges, and a round container for the rounded decor ends of the cross.  Once that was done, the kids all grabbed sheets of the tissue paper, and starting ripping it into pieces 1-2 inches or so. (Might I add, the colors each of them go for are so predictable.  lol)

stained-glass-tissue-easter-cross-craft_6 stained-glass-tissue-easter-cross-craft_5

Once we had plenty of pieces ready to go, I started spreading some Modge Podge, with a sponge brush,  in small sections (on the front) of the cross at a time, going outside of the lines somewhat on purpose.  Then the kids got to work, putting down pieces, overlapping each other, and rubbing them down.

stained-glass-tissue-easter-cross-craft stained-glass-tissue-easter-cross-craft_3

When the entire cross was almost done being covered with pieces of colored tissue, I started on one end, and went over any uplifted corners, or flappy pieces, of tissue, just Modge-Podging them down good with my sponge brush.  I LOVE Modge Podge-that stuff is great for so many projects!

stained-glass-tissue-easter-cross-craft_2 stained-glass-tissue-easter-cross-craft_4

We made the cross 20″x34″.

Once it was all dry, we cut it out!

cuttingout

It was a perfect fit for our front door, because we planned it that way. : )

stained-glass-tissue-easter-cross-craft_1

With the main events of Holy Week still before us, we anticipate the somber and difficult remembrance of the journey Jesus has yet before Him-and we will follow Him all the way to His last breath.

But the radiating colors of this cross, brought to life by the sunlight, reflect the state of our hearts come Sunday, when we will celebrate our risen Jesus Christ, in all of His dazzling and promising glory.

stained-glass-tissue-easter-cross-craft_1 cumosaic-300x214

We appreciate the 100’s of visits our blog has received in the past couple of days.  As we all take part in this holiest week of the year, and end our personal Lenten journeys, may you feel your hearts full of peace, prayer, and the undeniable presence of the Holy Spirit, and find yourself in a deeper, and more meaningful relationship with Christ.

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Filed Under: Crafts & Creations, Faith, Faith/ Catholic, Holiday Crafts, Kids Arts and Crafts, Kids Arts and Crafts, The Big Picture, Tutorial Tagged With: beautiful-Easter-crafts, Catholic-blogs, Catholic-crafts, Catholic-family-activities, easter-crafts, Easter-home-decor-idea, faux-stained-glass-craft, faux-stained-glass-window-craft, kids-easter-crafts, kids-religious-Easter-crafts, paper, tissue, tissue paper crafts, tissue-paper-craft

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